Iowa 4-H Virtual Cooking School Builds Youth Confidence

By Andi Anderson

Iowa 4-H is opening registration for its next Clover Power Virtual Cooking School, scheduled for February 5. The live online program welcomes youth in grades K through 12 from across Iowa. Participation is open to all youth, even those not enrolled in 4-H.

The virtual cooking school focuses on helping young people build confidence in the kitchen while learning nutrition and food safety. Sessions are held online, allowing families to cook together at home in a comfortable setting.

The program highlights Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s “Spend Smart. Eat Smart.” initiative, which promotes affordable meals made with fruits and vegetables.

The upcoming session features simple recipes using mixed vegetables, including a quick pad Thai and pineapple snack cakes. 

The class is led by Iowa 4-H school wellness specialist Sally Shaver DuBois along with Iowa State University dietetics students. Instructors guide youth step by step through each recipe while teaching basic kitchen skills.

Previous sessions show strong success. During the November class, youth learned knife safety, measuring skills, food science, and sustainability practices.

Students followed along as instructors demonstrated safe peeling, proper cutting methods, and ways to test food for doneness. Youth asked questions throughout the session and shared progress using the chat feature.

Parents report that the virtual format helps children feel relaxed and focused. Clear camera views allow students to follow instructions easily. Families also notice increased confidence as youth take more interest in helping prepare meals at home.

Nutrition and science are part of each lesson. Instructors explain how foods cook, why certain ingredients work best, and how nutrients support health. Sustainability is also discussed, with ideas to reuse food scraps or reduce waste.

Feedback from families has been positive. All participating families report that their children enjoy the class and want to attend again. Many plan to remake the recipes at home.

As the February 5 session approaches, Iowa 4-H encourages families to register, gather ingredients, and prepare for an evening of learning and fun. The program supports healthy habits, independence, and confidence that youth can use every day.

Photo Credit: iowa-state-university